Is the Red Cedar Deciduous or Evergreen?

Foliage

• The red cedar is a native American tree that's commonly found in forested areas and named for the reddish color of its wood. The tree is reliably evergreen, keeping its foliage throughout the year. On young trees and new shoots of older trees, the foliage is needlelike. As foliage matures, it becomes more scalelike and flat, with each scale about 1/16-inch long. The scales pack tightly together, eventually covering all sides of the tree's smaller branches. The red cedar grows in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 2 through 9.

Sun and Soil

• The red cedar grows moderately quickly, adding 1 or 2 feet to its height each year. A mature tree can reach a height of 30 to 65 feet, with a broad, conical shape that widens as the tree matures, potentially spreading to a width of about 25 feet. The tree needs bright light to develop its best form and does well in full sun, although it can tolerate partial shade for a portion of the day. It grows in any type of soil, including sandy or rocky soil. It can also thrive in soil that's low in fertility, although mixing some compost into your planting site can give a young tree a good start.

Water

• A red cedar tree is an especially tough specimen that grows under dry conditions that could stress other trees, making it adaptable to locations prone to drought. Although an evergreen tree, the tips of its young branches may lose some foliage and die back in especially dry summers, but these generally recover when drought ends. The tree can also grow in moist conditions caused by frequent drenching rain, provided its soil is well-drained. It may not thrive in a spot that tends to stay wet and soggy, but adding sand to the planting site can improve the soil's drainage and help the tree grow well.

Problems

• The red cedar is a tough, adaptable tree with few insect or disease problems. It can occasionally become infested with mites or midges, which can be controlled by spraying the tree with insecticidal soap, diluted at a rate of 5 tablespoons per gallon. Bagworms can occasionally appear on a tree, but usually cause no serious damage, although they could be unsightly and can be controlled by hand-picking. A serious bagworm infestation can be controlled by spraying with an insecticide such as carbaryl 4F, diluted at a rate of 2 teaspoons per quart.